38-Year-Old David Moreno Stabbed to Death by Inmates at California Correctional Institution

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Two Inmates Fatally Attack Another Inmate at California Correctional Institution

In a tragic incident at the California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi, two inmates brutally killed a fellow inmate on Wednesday morning. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) confirmed the incident, revealing the identities of the attackers as Armando Taylor, 41, and Carlos Cervantes, 39.

The altercation took place just before 9 a.m. and resulted in the need for “chemical agents” to separate the inmates, according to CDCR officials. The maximum-security facility was temporarily placed on lockdown as guards intervened to stop the assault.

The victim, David Moreno, 38, suffered multiple stab wounds during the attack. Prison staff immediately provided medical treatment to Moreno, but despite their efforts, he succumbed to his injuries during transportation to an outside medical facility at around 9:40 a.m.

Following the incident, authorities discovered three “inmate-manufactured weapons” at the scene. As a result, Cervantes and Taylor were immediately relocated to restricted housing, and movement within the prison has been limited to ensure the safety of other inmates and staff, according to CDCR officials.

Moreno had been serving a life sentence for attempted first-degree murder since his arrival from Los Angeles County in April 2004. He had spent nearly 20 years behind bars and also had a conviction for battery on a non-prisoner during his time incarcerated. Despite his long sentence, Moreno was eligible for parole and could have potentially been released in the future.

Cervantes, who has been serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole, arrived at the prison after being convicted of two first-degree murders in 2018. He had also previously been charged with possession of a manufactured weapon while in prison.

Taylor, on the other hand, has been incarcerated since 2017 following a conviction in Imperial County for first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. Like Cervantes, Taylor is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. He has also received additional sentencing for an assault committed while in prison.

The Kern County District Attorney’s Office and the prison’s investigative unit have launched an investigation into the incident, treating it as a homicide. The Kern County medical examiner will determine the official cause of Moreno’s death.

The California Correctional Institution, which has been in operation for 90 years, currently houses approximately 1,700 inmates. This tragic event serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by correctional facilities in maintaining the safety and security of both inmates and staff..